GB2479557A

GB2479557A - Magnetic tip with trace for paintless dent removal rod

Info

Publication number: GB2479557A
Application number: GB1006172A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alan Wilkinson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-04-14
Filing date: 2010-04-14
Publication date: 2011-10-19
Anticipated expiration: 2030-04-14
Also published as: CA2795892A1; GB2479557B; EP2558226B1; US20130025336A1; WO2011128614A1; EP2558226A1; ES2427792T3; US9757782B2; WO2011128614A4; CN102858476B; CN102858476A; GB201006172D0

Abstract

The current invention refers to a magnetic tip 1, for a paintless dent removal bar 7, of sufficient magnetic force that when moved on the inside surface of a panel, it attracts a metallic trace element 9 on the outside surface which follows the hidden tool tip as it moves, so demonstrating the exact tool tip position and preventing unnecessary damage, offering greater repair precision, avoiding slippage and saving time.

Description

The present application refers to a paintless dent removal tool tip and trace to remove dents from painted sheet metal surfaces where the paint has not been damaged.

Currently, paintless dent repair tools which remove dents by applying pressure to the inside surface of sheet metal, typically a vehicle panel, are comprised of metal rods or bars of differing lengths, shapes and tips to facilitate access to varying positions, allowing the specialist to push the dent out from the inside whilst viewing the panel from the outside, highlighting the dent with a light or reflector panel.

The difficulties associated with this technique particularly for users anything less than well practised are: unsurity of knowing exactly where the tool tip is located, leading to panel damage if pressure is exerted when tip is not correctly positioned, slippage of tool tip away from desired position when pressure is applied, damage to interior surface of a visible panel through dragging or scraping of tool tip for tip location purposes and excessive time needed for dent removal.

To overcome these problems the current invention refers to a magnetic tip of sufficient magnetic force that when moved on the inside surface, it attracts a metallic trace on the outside surface so that the trace follows the tool tip as it moves.

A description of a possible form of realisation will now be given using magnetic spheres and referring to the following drawings where: Figure 1 shows the magnetic tip and its attachment to a pdr rod Figure 2 shows position of trace relative to tip on a panel cross-section.

Figures 3a, 3b and 3c show a magnetic tip adapted to a door rod.

The invention is not limited to magnetic spheres as other shapes of tool tip, suitably magnetised, are also contemplated.

Referring to figure 1, the magnetic tip is comprised of a neodime magnetic sphere (1) measuring between 14 and 19mm diameter according to thickness of panel and tip size required. The sphere (1) is mounted in a non-magnetically attracted cup for example a plastic (2) in such away that the sphere is free to rotate in all axes, protrudes the maximum possible but is secured within cup (2). Threaded metal shaft (3) is fixed into body of cup (2) and protrudes though the base of (2). It screws exactly into threaded hole (6) at extreme of tool bar (7), butting up against flat surface (4) of cup (2), allowing no movement of the magnetic tip assembly in relation to the tool bar.

Cup (2) is of a length to support magnetic sphere (1) at a sufficient distance from metallic threaded shaft (3) and end of bar (7) so as not to interfere with the magnetic polarity of(1) ie so that the magnetic force is at a maximum at whatever point it touches the panel. Trace (9) may be moved periodically out of the dented area via movement of bar (7) to allow the user a better view of the dent removal progress.

In figure 2 the metallic trace (9) is shown on a cross-section of a panel, comprised of a non-magnetic sphere measuring between 3 and 5mm diameter. The non-magnetic nature of(9) increases the accuracy of the tool tip location, so when pressure is applied to tool tip, said pressure is transmitted to the panel directly beneath the centre of trace (9).

(Trace 9 may be lightly magnetised to reduce risk of loss and aid initial positioning). As too' bar (7) is)evered via "S" hook (5) on inside of panel (8) the user positions trace (9) near the dent (10) indicated by the lines from a typical pdr light or reflector board.

According to established pdr pressure pattern techniques the dent is gradually pushed out by exerting leveraged pressure on the sphere (1) via tool bar (7). All movements of sphere (1) are indicated by trace (9), the user knowing exactly where the tool tip is at all times.

Figure 3a shows a flattened tip body (2) with sphere (1) mounted so that pressure is applied to the panel via lateral movement of pdr door rod (7) as seen in figure 3b. Cup (2) is flattened to aid limited access to interior of panel, typical of the majority of door designs.

Figure 3c shows a side view of the tip adapted to door repairs, the tip attaching to the rod via threaded shaft (3) A range of varied mounting angles and sizes of magnietic spheres (1) in metallic mounting cups (2), is available to the user as well as tool bars of differeing lengths and shapes all with a common tip attachment so that the user can build the combination of tool bar and tip size and angle necessary to access the greastest number of dent positions.

Claims

C'aims 1. A magnetic tip for a paintless dent removal bar of sufficient magnetic force that when moved on the inside of a sheet metal surface, a metallic trace is attracted to it and moves with it on the ouside surface, showing the user the exact position of the tool tip.
2. A magnetic tip as described in claim I comprised of a neodime sphere offering strong magnetic force to size ratio, the sphere form when mounted in a non-metallic cup is free to rotate in all axes, enabling the magnetic force to be pinpointed at whatever point it touches the surface being worked on and at which point pressure is transmitted from bar to panel via the tip.
3. A magnetic tip as described in claim I and 2 with a non-metallic cup to support a sphere neodime magnet at sufficient distance from the metal pdr bar to which it is attached, that the sphere's polarity is unaffected.
4. A magnetic tip as described in claim 1 withl I separate metallic trace to indicate the exact position of the tool tip.
5. A magnetic tip as described in claim I and 2 which minimises the risk of unnecessary damage as user knows where tool tip is at any time and is less likely to apply pressure in the wrong place.
6. A magnetic tip as described in claim I and 2 which speeds up the process of dent removal as user knows where tool tip is at any time and so wastes no time in its location.
7. A magnetic tip as described in claim I and 2 which minimises slippage of tip on inside of panel as tip sticks magnetically to surface being worked on.
8. A magnetic tip as described in claim 1 and 2 available in a range of sizes, shapes and mountings to tackle dents in differing positions.Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows: Claims 1. A pdr tip comprised of a neodymium magnetic sphere which is free to rotate in all axes within a mounting cup and attach itself to the inside of a motor vehicle panel at a point on the magnet dictated by its polarity, so that maximum magnetic flux attracts a ferromagnetic ball trace on the panel's outer surface, indicating the exact position of the part of the magnet touching the panel, regardless of the angle at which the tip is held, and so showing the user where to apply pressure to remove a dent.2. A pdr tip as defined in claim I where the mounting cup allows the maximum protrusion of the neodymium magnetic sphere while still containing it so allowing the user the maximum range of angles in relation to the panel, at which to use the tip.3. A pdr tip as defined in claim 1 where the mounting cup contains the neodymium magnetic sphere at a sufficient distance from the metal pdr rod it is intended to be attached to, that the magnet's polarity is unaffected by the rod and so is free to rotate when it is presented to the panel's inner surface.4. A pdr tip as defined in claim 1 which uses a ferromagnetic ball as a surface trace, measuring between 3mm and 5mm diameter so that the trace is big enough to roll smoothly across the panel's surface following the magnet without jumping but is small enough not to obscure the area being worked on. * S S. * * I* * *IIS...... S * S *I $ IS S..